Secrets lie across the seas. With the damars vanquished, Heir Ruarnon thought they'd secured Umarinaris' eastern seas. But Narz's murderous creatures are back, their handlers are more worrisome and both bar Ruarnon's path to allies needed to recover their abducted parents. The handlers are Linh's chance to confirm her gateway home (to Australia) -and that sorcerers able (and hopefully willing) to operate it- lie in Umarinaris' dangerous West. Pursuing allies and answers, Ruarnon and Linh clash with evolving, ever more dangerous damars. They learn magic is still wielded on Umarinaris, some of the Sorcery War's deadliest weapons survived and Narz has plans for them. Friendship and teamwork become crucial to their success and place them in ever greater danger.